ligious enjoyments seldom rose into rapture, but he had uninterrupted fellowship and communion with God. He availed himself of every means of grace, and God enabled him to attend the Chapel, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, with his Christian friends, the last Sabbath he spent upon earth. A sense of the value of time, and of souls, made him wish to improve every moment. The latter part of his afflic tion was severe, but this only served to exemplify his Christian patience, as his confidence in God remained unshaken. Being asked if he did not wish to visit Scotland, and see his relations, he answered, "No, I have no wish; Scotland or England, life or death, whatever is the will of God, is my will." His attachment to Methodism was the result of conviction. "I began," said he, "to search the Scriptures, that I might be able to dispute the doctrines of the Methodists, and defend those of the Calvinists intending by this to tease some people in the neighbourhood. I found, however, so many passages of Scripture in favour of Methodism, that I soon began to think it a serious matter to attempt a defence of a system which the Bible seemed generally to disprove. 1 now determined to read the Bible through, and judge for myself. Having done this, my mind was so fully decided in favour of Mr. Wesley's sentiments, (though at that time I had not read his works,) that it has never wavered for a moment since." In almost every page of his Bible passages are marked, to which his attention had from time to time been directed. He was also a diligent and extensive reader of other works; and being a man of a penetrating mind and strong judgment, his "profiting" both in knowledge and piety," appeared unto all men." Before Mr. Wylie's affliction, several judicious persons were of opinion that from his holy life, and general information, he was well qualified to act as a Local Preacher. The writer of this account made a communication to him on the subject, and received the following reply: "I have given the subject of your kind letter due consideration, and made it a matter of prayer to Almighty God; yet I remain in as great suspense as ever. If my own desire, or the urgent solicitations of friends, were the just criterion, I would not hesitate one moment, but it must be admitted that none are so competent to judge on this subject as myself; and I am sure that, when God says to a man, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard,' he gives adequate qualifications. His demands are both reason..

able and consistent, and he never sends any man'a warfare at his own charge.' I might venture to make a trial; but after long and assiduous cultivation, my imagination continues dull and barren. My memory is also weak and forgetful; and I cannot communicate my ideas with freedom, perspicuity, and connexion. Whatever grace does, nature must lay this foundation. Believe me, dear Sir, were I able, nothing, no, nothing, would give me so much delight, as to spread the fame of my Redeemer, and to propagate among men those sacred principles to which my heart is inseparably united. I am at the disposal of my God, and if he give the commission, neither earth nor hell shall successfully oppose. I see the necessity of acting, in all things, for eternity. After a full consideration of the subject, I come to the conclusion, still to decline acting in so public a sphere. A consciousness of my unfitness for the work, and of the sincerity of the motives by which I am influenced, affords considerable consolation." Mr. Wylie preached Christ by the silent arguments of a holy life, and the truly pious were induced to imitate those graces which shone so bright in him. The friends at whose house he died, state that, about three weeks before his death, he declared that an unholy desire had not crossed his mind for more than a month. Being asked if he continued to enjoy that happy state, he said, "O yes, I do." Though he was very weak, he continued to read the Scriptures, occasionally exhorting those around him, and giving instructions respecting his Class. He observed that the enemy was not permitted to trouble him now. Looking up with a heavenly countenance, he said, "O that my soul could join the happy spirits above! but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.'Christ is precious, precious."" Soon after he had uttered these words, he fell asleep in the Lord, in the 31st year of his age. WILLIAM HILL.

RECENT DEATHS.

Dec. 24th, 1826.-At Carlingcott, in the Midsummer-Norton Circuit, Mrs. Judith Britten; who for nearly forty years was a pious, consistent, and useful member of the Methodist Society. She highly esteemed the Ministers and people of God; and for humility, spirituality, and benevolence, has seldom been excelled. She was suddenly taken ill, about five o'clock in the evening of Dec. 23d, and the next day joyfully exchanged mortality for life, in the eighty-first year of her age. H. P.

Jan. 7th, 1827.-At Mount-Coffer, near Banff, Robert Teunion, in the twenty-seventh year especially by those with whom he was united in of his age, deeply and deservedly regretted, Christian fellowship. His death took place

only a few days after his marriage, thus affording an affecting proof of the uncertainty of all sublunary enjoyments. His last moments, though not signally triumphant, were delightfully tranquil. J. S.

Jan. 9th.-At Shafton, in the Barnsley Circuit, in the seventy-second year of his age, Joseph Simpson; a man much respected for his uprightness. He was brought to the knowledge of the truth under the ministry of the Methodists, at the village of Cudworth; and has been a steady member of the Society about forty years. Nearly half of that period he filled the office of a Class-Leader in an acceptable manner. His affliction was short, but his confidence in the Lord was strong, his hope blooming, and his end peace. J. S.

Jan. 10th.-At Bishop-Sutton, in the Midsummer-Norton Circuit, Mr. William Stokes ; who for more than half a century was an upright member of the Methodist Society. For twenty-six years he freely received the Preachers into his house; and was never known to disgrace his Christian profession; though for a time he lost his first love. For many months before his death, he was unspeakably happy, and left this vale of tears in the full assurance of hope, in the eightieth year of his age. H. P.

Jan. 13th.-At Builth, in the Brecon Circuit, Mr. Richard Butts, in the fifty-sixth year of his age; having been an upright and exemplary Methodist and Class-Leader, upwards of twenty years. The integrity of his life, the uniformity of his attachment to the cause of Christ, and the genuineness of his faith and experience, induce us to believe, that, though his death was sudden, it introduced him into glory. T. H.

Jan. 22d.-At the York-Barracks, Mr. Atkinson, Quarter-Master in the Fifth Dragoon Guards, in the forty-sixth year of his age. While the regiment was lying in Glasgow, he became deeply concerned for the salvation of his soul; and when removed to York, he joined the Methodist Society. After a severe illness, of three weeks' continuance, he entered the eternal world in the full triumph of faith.

J. N.

Jan. 26th.-At Bridgewater, Mrs. Jane Harvey, aged forty-six. She was brought to a knowledge of the truth when about thirty-seven years of age; from which time, by consistency of character, by great diligence, and unremiting zeal, first as a private member of the Methodist Society, and afterwards as a Class-Leader, 'she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour. For some years she was a witness that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. T. T.

Jan. 29th, at Birmingham, in the prime of life, after a protracted and painful affliction, which she sustained with Christian fortitude and resignation, Mrs. Sarah Morse, the wife of Mr. Henry Morse. She had been a valuable member of the Methodist Society about twelve years, and died in great peace.

W. G.

Circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Potts, aged seventytwo. She was a member of the Methodist Society upwards of forty years; during that period she possessed an unshaken confidence in the merits of Christ, and possessed the blessing of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Her life J. M. was holy, and her end was peace.

Feb. 3d.-At Frodsham, in the Northwich Circuit, Mr. William Hayes, aged seventy-five. About thirty-three years ago, he became experimentally acquainted with the Gospel, as the power of God to his salvation. Though he was always distinguished for integrity, probity, and disinterestedness, yet, from the time of his conversion, to the end of his earthly pilgrimage, these excellencies, and indeed every grace of the Spirit, shone in him with peculiar lustre. In Frodsham he was the principal supporter of Methodism, and his house was ever open to receive all the servants of the Lord. As a husband and parent, he was distinguished for tenderness and affection; he was a kind relative, and a faithful and sympathising friend, sincerely respected by all who knew his worth, and is now T.H. universally regretted.

Feb. 3d.-At Barlow, near Gateshead, Mr John Nixon, in the seventieth year of his age. In his house, and by his pious father, the Methodist Preachers have been hospitably entertained for upwards of seventy years. With the family the venerable Messrs. Hopper, Cownley, Benson, &c., have presented thanksgiving and prayer to heaven. His death was very sudden, but safe. For the last twentythree years he was a steady member of the Methodist Society. Saved by faith in Christ Jesus from the fear of death, and much beloved by his Christian friends, and respected by his neighbours, he died in the Lord. T.1.

Feb. 5th-At Lowestoft, Mrs. Ward, aged fifty-eight years. She was a woman of good sense, genuine piety, and of an amiable disposition. Her last affliction was long and painful; but her Christian graces shone with great lustre. She adorned her profession as a Methodist, and died happy in the Lord. R. G.

Feb. 6th.-At Bristol, the Rev. George Dermott, aged sixty-eight years. In 1792, he became a Travelling Preacher, in the Methodist Connexion, and continued in this office till May, 1825, when a paralytic attack rendered him unfit for his public work. Hopes were cherished by his friends that he might be restored to health, and resume his labour in the Lord's vineyard; but it soon appeared that these hopes were fallacious. For some months past, he has been sinking daily, and his end was expected much sooner than it took place. Through the whole of his affliction, he had constant peace, and at times a good degree of holy joy. Patience had in him its perfect work; he was sensible to the last moment, and his end was peace. J. W.

Feb. 11th.-At Warmley-Tower, in the Downend Circuit, after an illness of a few weeks, Mr. George Potter. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Society upwards of thirty years; and for several years previous to his death, he reputably and usefully filled the offices of Class-Leader, and Circuit-Steward. He was a liberal supporter of the cause of religion, and his end was peace. S. W.

Feb. 15th.-At Bradford, Yorkshire, Mrs. Hannah Clough, mother of the Rev. Benjamin Clough, Missionary in Ceylon, aged seventytwo years. She had been a hearer of the Methodist Preachers upwards of fifty years. She had been long aflicted, but endured her sufferings with Christian fortitude. A little before her death, she exclaimed, "Christ is precious; " and while her daughter and the family were praying with her, she triumphantly took her W. H. flight to a better world.